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Game of Thrones Review: Valar Morghulis

It’s finally over. For now. Last night was the season 2 finale of Game of Thrones and boy was it amazing. The episode itself was beautiful and the contrast of set pieces provided an amazing adventure as we traveled nearly all around Westeros wrapping up and cliff hanging every major player. While some resolutions were met, other conflicts continue as we wrapped up the second season. I’ve said this many times before, HBO’s Game of Thrones delivers the story it needs to very well, but many book readers like myself can do nothing else but compare George R.R. Martin’s masterful writing and execution. While the show had an excellent representation of the show, there can’t be nothing else but a small sour taste when some of my favorite and most memorable scenes in the books were watered down here. Read below to get the gist of what happened on the very busy episode of Game of Thrones.

Theon Greyjoy has Heart…But It Does Him No Good

It’s been obvious that Theon has daddy issues. He’s been constantly going back and forth on what’s right and wrong, and in this episode he finally let it all out to Maester Luwin. I’ve been ratting on him in the past reviews, but I suppose it’s true that what he’s going through is very sad and depressing. He then gets the nerve to do something about it [though it’s never really clear on the choice he made], and makes a very compelling speech on how they’ll fight to the last man, until he gets betrayed by his own men and gets dragged off to who knows where.

Winterfell has fallen

A beautiful set piece of a broken city, the scene in particular with Maester Luwin was one of the more emotionally charged of the night. It was upsetting to see such likable and undeserving protagonists to see their home burnt and destroyed. This part was definitely the closest in the text vs. the screen, despite an upsetting lack of Reeds [but they’re being cast for next season so it’s okay]. Regardless, the story leaves off with the 4 of them moving north to hopefully find Jon Snow.

Tyrion Went from Running King’s Landing to a Disfigured Underdog Again

Peter Dinklage should get all the rewards now. His confession to Shae about the truths of his insecurities was another extremely emotionally charged scene. But once again, it was upsetting to see Tyrion dominate King’s Landing to be moved to a storage room, while getting no credit for saving the city. He’s become an underdog again, and we’ll likely see him again in season three getting his vengeance. In addition, the look on Maester Pycelle’s face was priceless.

Sansa Stark is Free! But for How Long…

Joffrey ditches Sansa for Maergary Tyrell. The look on her face is absolutely priceless, finally a happy ending! Oh wait, Petyr Balish comes in and tells her that she’ll be used as a sex toy and that she’ll be beaten….Sad ending. At least we’ll have that smile.

Stannis Suffers a Major Defeat…but it’s all Okay According to the Flames

Stannis, a man who isn’t normally superstitious, apparently saw something in the flame after Melisandre ushered him to. And after suffering a blowing defeat like that, it’s a wonder what the man has planned next to take the Throne.

Jon Snow Knows Something

The Halfhand’s plan is made clear when he attacks Jon Snow. The duel leads to Jon Snow killing The Halfhand, earning the semi-trust of the wildlings. Enough for them to cut his bonds and show him to where all the wildlings are gathering. It was quite the site to see, and I can’t wait for Jon Snow to begin living the Wildling life, it’s one of my favorite parts in the books so far.

Dracarys B!tches

After a relatively lackluster season for Dany, she gets a lot of screen time, I’d say about 1/4 of the total run time, which is a big deal when you’re dealing with near a dozen plot lines. Regardless, she goes into the House of the Undying and she encounters some seriously trippy stuff [which was waaaay trippier in the book, but that’s okay]. The set pieces again were absolutely wonderful, the abandoned throne room was absolutely jaw dropping, and there was a very lovely scene in the reunion of Dany and Drogo that was shortlived.

But the key part here is her reunion with her dragons. When Dany’s in a bind, she uses her magic words and her tiny cat-sized dragons unleash a flurry of hell on the warlock. It was the awesomest moment since when she hatched the dragons themselves. The followup isn’t as expected either as she pretty much sacks the King of Qarth and leaves off with his stuff. I was pretty upset with the toning down of the House of the Undying, but the lack of Strong Belwas and Whitebeard…

The lack of Dany as a whole in season 2 should definitely be made up for in season 3….

Jaime and Brienne Banter is the Best

I loved these two in the book and I’m already loving these two in the series. Their banter is absolutely amazing and full of wit. But the laughs were cut short when some men start questioning her a little bit too much where Brienne is forced to cut them down. The look on Jaime’s face is also priceless as he recognizes her skill. I look forward to these two come season 3.

Valar Morghulis. Valar Dohaeris.

The title of the episode belongs to Ayra Stark’s arc where she meets Jaqen H’Ghar again. When he asks her to join him in becoming a faceless man, she refuses! In return, Jaqen gives her a coin and some words in the event she wants to see him again. Valar Morghulis. We technically shouldn’t know what that means yet, but it’s very fitting for the words of a master assassin.

3 Horns

The sh!t has hit the fan. Season 3 will likely be coming in May 2013. Such a long time….

2 Responses

I looooooooooved it!! Hadn’t been able to let you know, since I was internet-less for almost a week. ANyways, my favorite parts were Dany’s, bar none. And I cried like a baby in the part where she meets with Drogo and Rhaego. So emotional; that girl is a GREAT actress. And PETER DINKLAGE FOR THE EMMYS AND GOLDEN GLOOOOOOOOOOBES!!! I’ve spoken.